Slovakia has undertaken major economic reforms that helped boost economic growth and increase living standards. This rising wealth has generated a range of environmental pressures, including those related to consumption, particularly from transport and waste. Issues reviewed include:

Key environmental pressures

The framework for environmental and sustainable development

Key environmental and sustainable development initiatives

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Greening Growth

Environmental policy has contributed to Slovakia’s economic development over the past decade, including environmental measures introduced as part of the fiscal stimulus in response to the global economic and financial crisis. In depth analysis includes:

The environment as a driver of economic growth

Environmental expenditure and financing

Environmentally related taxes

Promoting eco-innovation and environment-friendly products

Environmental disparities among regions

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Implementation of environmental policies

Upon acceding to the EU in 2004, Slovakia made a huge investment to align its environmental regulatory framework with its new obligations as an EU member. There has been a notable evolution in the mix of environmental policy instruments, including regulatory, economic and information-based measures. Issues analysed include:

Strengthening the environmental policy mix

Promoting environmental democracy

Progress in air, water, waste, nature and biodiversity management

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International co-operation

Slovakia has made good progress in ratifying and implementing international environmental conventions. This includes transboundary air pollution and watercourses as well as trade related agreements on hazardous substances and endangered species. Issues reviewed include:

Bilateral and regional co-operation

Transboundary issues

Trade and environment

Corporate environmental responsibility

Nature protection

Official development assistance and the environment

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Climate change and energy

Slovakia has made progress in meeting the Kyoto Protocol target, reducing the energy intensity of its economy, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. It faces further challenges to meet its 2020 targets. Reviewed issues include:

Greenhouse gas emission performance

Policy and institutional framework

Market mechanisms and price signals

Climate change and energy policy

Climate change and transport policy

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Agriculture and environment

Slovakia applied a range of policy measures to address agri-environmental issues since the transition to a market economy was initiated in the 1990s, including the removal of environmental harmful subsidies. The detailed analysis includes:

Agriculture and the economy

Environmental performance of the agricultural sector

Integrating environment into agricultural policy

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